How Much Does It Cost To Build A Chopper?

[@greasesgarage]

If you want a copy of my Chopper Build Planning Sheet you can get the free PDF here 🤘🏼 greasesgarage.wixsite.com/greasesgarage

[@paullirette6277]

Thanks Grease, I like the no nonsense real world, common sense approach. This is what real working people can do on a real budget. Keep them coming bro. Peace.

[@greasesgarage]

Thank you Paul, I appreciate the kind words 🙏🏼🤘🏼

[@mississippidrifter5960]

A video on picking out the right welder for this type of work for the average home person would be great

[@greasesgarage]

This video goes into that 👍🏼 How to Set Up a TIG Welding RIG kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2qcnnZjrd5pa9U

[@scuzzytwo7556]

I got one of those china 250 amp flux-core welder for 250.00 works well I run it off my generator 30 amps power well maybe 20 amps?

[@pastorbobncc365]

I always end up spending double what I originally thought. My last shovel build $9500, my recent 1974 XLH restoration $4500,

[@greasesgarage]

Good on ya for even totaling them up. It seems most people only remember what they paid for the bike itself haha

[@danny.belanger]

Hey what is a XLH. I'm new to that and couldnt figure what this motor was

[@BNatoAk]

Hey, great information brother!

[@LOLjerel]

I like k100 stabilizer for the fuel , And S100 total bike cleaner spray for the spring .It will clean brake dirt from rims leaves paint spotless . will not harm paint !

[@mark122387]

Awesome video. Appreciate the high quality. Thanks!

[@greasesgarage]

Thank you Mark

[@blakepistofian7370]

Would love to see the studio set up. Great video

[@despairthewumbo9804]

Dude this info is so helpful thank you so much man

[@greasesgarage]

Happy to help!

[@jonnykaplan2848]

Great video and info! What kind of bars are they??

[@greasesgarage]

Just your run of the mill 10” apes

[@usabadone]

Big fan love your channel really like the floorboards on your bike could you show us how you install those what kind they are part numbers please

[@greasesgarage]

Thanks brotha, I appreciate that. These are the factory floorboards that come on the fat boy, heritage and a few other softail models. I wil try to find a part number for them

[@johnalbright8093]

Good vid a lot in there I had to learn the hard way over the years, a lot of truth here. I Built mine current sled starting with the motor cases and went from there one part at a time as I could afford it (as usual lol) using only new parts except the flywheels and crank which I got from a bro who upped his displacement which is the only used part on the scoot. ended up with a 89" evo rigid with a 6 speed took me about a year and a half to finish. I Ride it everyday since I don't own a cage rain or shine to work or anywhere else I go. I spent $6357.00 inspected, taxed, and tagged. Haven't bought a new bike since 1985 have built them all and see no reason to do otherwise

[@greasesgarage]

That’s fantastic man, great outcome to get a bike like that for that price! And yes, I have learned the hard way myself and watched many friends learn the hard way too. I’ve seen swap meet springers break, swap meet wheels end up having dings that weren’t noticed, drive gears on belt drives that don’t play right together, carbs that just don’t work right no matter how many times they’re cleaned…the list goes on. I think the biggest thing people miss when making price the top factor is what the value of their TIME is. A great deal that costs you a month of frustration and eventual replacement anyways will change the way a person thinks about the time vs money equation forever. I hope these videos communicate that concept effectively, I just want people to skip the struggle

[@chrishankins2700]

Good info as always.

[@midnightspecial89]

What hardtail kit did you use? Im having trouble finding an affordable one for my 86 evo.

[@greasesgarage]

Road 6, funny you should ask now I’m working on this video should be out this week

[@DEATHMETALCYCLE]

Video on shimming your trans and motor?

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Correct me if I missed it, but what about the 4 speed cowpie tranny? Being the motor is a top crank breather engine, and those came into being in 1992 and before that they already had 5 speed transmissions by then.

[@greasesgarage]

That’s correct, I traded my five speed for someone else’s four speed. I left that cost out since I think most people aren’t interested in doing that swap or might be building a different bike that comes with the trans they intend to use

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Gotcha@@greasesgarage

[@chrisishmael7025]

Awesome video, especially the section on open primary drives. Thank you.

[@greasesgarage]

Glad you enjoyed it 🤘🏼

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Well done

[@greasesgarage]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@LinuxHurts]

Excellent content--I only wish you would show more the bike!. That said, absolutely excellent content--great idea! ; )

[@greasesgarage]

Can definitely take that feedback and try to get more b roll shots of different bikes. Tough running a channel like this with only one motorcycle 🤣

[@claytondetwiler8512]

Loved the podcast. Love the instructional videos. Super helpful.

[@greasesgarage]

Thanks Clayton I appreciate that 🙏🏼

[@jimmybelcher7768]

Great video great info

[@greasesgarage]

Thanks brotha!

[@doubleeequipment7618]

Maybe missed it but, what weld on hardtail do you use...I'm starting a 97 soon.

[@greasesgarage]

Road 6 customs

[@14era48]

I enjoy coming back to this video for reference/inspo! Curious what your take is on having only a drum rear brake? I have have a front and rear drum on my bike and am tempted to run no front brake for that clean look but do you think I’d be better off switching to a disc in the rear if I did so? Thanks!

[@greasesgarage]

This is a great question, I think I’ll do a whole video on this topic because a lot of people ask about this. Keep an eye out for that, but short answer would be that it depends greatly on how effective that drum brake is. I tried it on my xs650 and it was not feasible at all but some people have better luck with drum brakes than me

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I wore out the original hard tail on my Triumph Tr-6. It started cracking and a piece was missing. My good quality Renolds chain was holding the back end on. Replace the hard tail was easy because it was a bolt on. My bike looks like a Triumph Bobber. I have had my Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years.

[@greasesgarage]

That’s rad! Sounds like you put some serious mileage down on it 🤘🏼

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@greasesgarage T Triumph shop l went to put a new hard tail on the bike because I never whined about prices and they figured that l was good advertising for the shop riding the bike.

[@johnwerner7194]

Thanks. Now i need a base bike.

[@greasesgarage]

What do you have in mind?

[@DewayneDegaton-tc2ru]

what’s the most you would spend on a sportster for a first build?

[@greasesgarage]

Just for the bike or for the whole build?

[@DewayneDegaton-tc2ru]

The Owner bike with the title

[@DewayneDegaton-tc2ru]

domer

[@SeanOConnor-f2l]

This was helpful - thanks for putting it together! Couple questions. Did you buy an old kick transmission for the project or convert the Fat Boy's transmission? What was the cost and can you provide details on the tranny/kit?

[@greasesgarage]

I traded my stock 5 speed trans to friend for his stock 4 speed from his Shovelhead. That said. Baker makes 6 speeds that are built like 4 speeds and they’re amazing, very expensive though, more than my whole budget. I would look for a used cow pie trans on eBay or a swap meet or offer your 5 speed in trade

[@dwayneglover914]

U r killing it & thanks 4 the previous reply but can u please let me know what do a Thunder Mountain Firestone start out as I know they use aftermarket parts from Heart Land customs in Colorado thanks in advance & U will have 1 of the top motorcycle channels good luck ride safe enuff said.

[@greasesgarage]

I wish I could help with the Firestone thing but unfortunately I don’t have any knowledge on their bikes sorry brotha

[@dwayneglover914]

@@greasesgarage hay it's ok I'm not ready yet anyway,but if u do find out something please let me know till then thanks 👍😊 a lot .....keep building your channel .

[@377Pro]

Great video! I am looking to build my first chopper and I only have beginners skills :)

[@greasesgarage]

This is a great breakdown for a beginner as you’ll likely be buying a lot more parts than you make, at least at the start, which is totally fine. In time you will develop the skills you need to save yourself some money by making certain items

[@seller559]

My gear shift pedal lost its weld so I replaced it with an open end wrench 🔧 …metric, just to be smart ass. Great video 👍

[@greasesgarage]

Haha love it

[@Tumble96]

What if you went with a springer front end

[@greasesgarage]

Springer front ends have a very wide range of prices but the lower end ones are around $600, mid range around $1,000 and higher end ones are $2,000. Hope this helps!

[@chrisbrady-t1u]

You ever notice that when someone says they got a great deal on a bike they never tell you the actual price of this supposed great deal?If it was such a great deal you would think they would be telling the whole world what they paid.

[@greasesgarage]

My thoughts exactly! Don’t have to hide it if you really got a deal.

[@leowhite9873]

When did ryan gosling start building bikes

[@BGouthierPhoto]

Just another heads up from my experience.... A LOT of after market parts are cheap crap. I built my first bike with a lot of parts from Big Twin, ebay and the like. I finally stopped picking them off the road when they fell off. And, I hit at least 2 riding buddies with this crap. Rigid bikes vibrate, Plan accordingly. And HD is High Dollar for a reason. Pick up used, high quality parts online, swap meets and from friends. It is worth the extra time and trouble and you generally pay the same or less and have less problems.

[@greasesgarage]

Can you give a few examples of parts you had bad experiences with? I’ve had a very different experience so I’m curious

[@vidvidbiker]

What about the cost of the coil? - presumably you went to a 5 ohm one to go with points kit.

[@greasesgarage]

$50

[@SEEKANDDESTROY717]

Man hit some swap meets... buying everything new online takes half the fun out of building a chop

[@greasesgarage]

There’s some thing I’ll get at a swap and some things I won’t. You see a few front ends and wheels break and it changes the way you look at it

[@letscheckitout1985]

Not everyone likes meat the same stupid hipsters I think they are the shit because they don’t bathe or change their clothes

[@bluebullock3143]

What about exhaust

[@greasesgarage]

I didn’t change mine but if you wanted to change yours just add in the cost of the pipes you like

[@IBringYouFire]

In Germany is it almost impossible to get a hardtail. You need to buy a entire frame with papers. It will cost you 3-6k euros. Welding is not Legal here or you must be a freakin engineer and finish your school over 6 years to get the papers to build things like that legally.. Germany is a really bad place to be if you want be free and do art!

[@wickedgamer1721]

Cost me more to make mine into a club style/stunt bike nice work

[@greasesgarage]

I can believe it those parts can get pricey but that’s awesome man, how long did the build take? Curious about those style bikes

[@wickedgamer1721]

@greasesgarage added parts as I could afford it was about 4/5k in parts and now she wheelies no problem and drifts r fun but dangerous lol

[@maxheadflow]

So I missed the total cost including the Fatboy? IMO hardtails are a waste when you can make a softtail look like a HT.

[@greasesgarage]

3500 for the fat boy, but I disagree. When you cut the softail off and see how much stuff comes off it, and how much weight, I would never go back

[@maxheadflow]

@@greasesgarage So how much weight comes off? Why not keep the weight and build the motor? Suspension is nice when you want to stuff the bike into a corner with a rough surface. Lower the tire pressure and it works better but then wobbles in the sweepers.

[@maxheadflow]

@@greasesgarage So that was to total cost to bob the FB? I'll agree about the wheels..

[@ecuz3]

Shoutout to Tones for that seat upholstery work

[@greasesgarage]

He crushed it 👏🏼

[@Kris_Stiletto]

Very informative. Thank you! :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)

[@greasesgarage]

Thanks Kris!

[@chrisbrady-t1u]

$50 for a set of points and condenser?How much you pay for plugs?About a $100 a piece?

[@greasesgarage]

Sounds like you misheard what was $50 lol

[@ericbest9562]

Im going to use my wifes cat for a single seat! Head forward screaming with front legs and claws out then the hide will go out and cover the saddle and have the tail hanging off the back of the seat beside the tire flipping in the wind 😂, my wife is sitting beside me rolling her eyes while i typed this and petting the cat with the other hand

[@Pccart1121]

Pipes?

[@greasesgarage]

I didn’t end up changing my pipes when I built it but if you plan to change yours I would ballpark $300-600 for most sets on the market these days

[@Pccart1121]

Thanks. Love the channel.

[@pastorbobncc365]

I recently bought an original 1974 Ironhead at an estate sale for $1800, Bike had been sitting in a garage sense 1999 appx; 24 years, I absolutely love it when a bike comes with a folder and all kinds of paperwork as it establishes the history of the bike. This bike was in excellent condition but look what it took to get it safely back on the road. 1974 HD Sportster 15K Miles Total Restoration Cost $3546 Note; Tank is mint AMF decal perfect, I will be painting the finders this winter appx; $600 bringing the total to $4146 when I was looking at it the day I bought it I was thinking $800 in parts max? $1800 Purchase Price $289 DMV Title $1337 Total parts $200 Seat $24 Seat bracket rear $11 Seat bracket Front $44 Front Fender $115 Battery $342 Tires, tubes, mount and balance $22 Drive chain $8 Hub seal $32 Front sprocket $20 oil seal, retainer, gasket Brake Pads Front Recent add on Complete front forks rebuild kit $60 $48 Front brake line $64 Front brake rotor $31 Front brake piston $7 Front caliper seal kit $25 Front brake pads $12 Master cylinder front rebuild kit $3 Master cylinder cover gasket $13 Brass 3/8 24 adapter $1 Point cover gasket $23 Points and condenser $9 Flasher $10 Control stickers $20 Front Turn Signals Yankee Swap meet $1 Main shaft lock tab $10 Magnetic drain plug $2 O rings primary inspection $68 Carb rebuild kit $28 Air cleaner $13 intake O ring kit $6 Primary Cover gasket $5 Oil filter $6 Spark plugs $9 oil filter $4 shaft seal kit $24 Clutch cable $75 Auto zone misc. nuts and bolts, oil, grease,

[@greasesgarage]

What a great history to have on a bike! Makes me want to keep better and more detailed records

[@pastorbobncc365]

​@@greasesgarageI build a folder for every bike, bill of sale, all receipts, registration, etc. I spent 20 in the military and learned to document everything, although Hunter Biden screwed up doing that??

[@greasesgarage]

@pastorbobncc365 I’m gonna have to copy your approach on that, I’ll start a folder for this bike. And lmao can’t go leaving your laptops laying around like that

[@bluebullock3143]

Trailer fenders are same thing way cheaper

[@greasesgarage]

Got a link for the people?

[@ironmaster8749]

Look up trailer fender .

[@greasesgarage]

No link? You used one right?

[@scuzzytwo7556]

That is what I did for the rear. Fleetfarm.

[@kalebdeyoung6936]

Build a bike out of swap meet parts my ironhead chopper cost 1800$ all said and done

[@greasesgarage]

That’s great

[@rehman2017]

I will give you eye catching thumbnail in cheap price

[@raysechyder1348]

🤘😵💰

[@danheino7006]

takes more than a case of beer to get my friends off their ass and that would be to go to a store to get more beer so they could consider welding for me I live 19 miles from BATH IRON WORKS where they make theNavy Destroyers. I have friends who work there and are the best in the world.

[@greasesgarage]

I know the place, my general foreman used to work there as well and he’s a very talented ironworker and welder

[@danheino7006]

@@greasesgarage Small World ! Tell him hello from Boothbay Harbor....

[@hemidart7]

More than it's worth

[@greasesgarage]

Anybody who thinks they’re getting back what they spent on choppers is in the wrong place. You better love it if you’re gonna build it

[@rehman2017]

*iam professional thumbnail designer on fiver i can design your thumbnails eye catching*

[@davidson2004fatboy]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@borelius]

On this side of the pond we need to pay a lot more for the parts. Transportation, customs duties and value added taxes really make a difference. 😁 I usually buy a piece of crap bike and drop 10k on it. 🥲

[@greasesgarage]

I can imagine! That’s gotta be tough man but it’s cool to hear you’re still getting it done 🤘🏼 how are the cops out there for inspection violations?

[@borelius]

@@greasesgarage If you ride a hazardous bike you will be fined and they might take your plates away. That being said I think we have it good here in Finland. We have this Modified Motorcycle Association that works in co-operation with the lawmakers. They have come up with these "Chopper Laws". It is in everyone´s best interest that the bikes handle well and have sufficient brakes. After you build and modify the bike you only have to get it inspected once. The laws don´t restrict that much. Especially if you building an older bike. A long fork shovelhead is a common site! 😁

[@greasesgarage]

@borelius that’s so cool they made that carve out for choppers! Good stuff Finland 🇫🇮 👏🏼👏🏼